Self-Assembled Materials Incorporating Functional Porphyrins and Carbon Nanoplatforms as Building Blocks for Photovoltaic Energy Applications

2D Composite Materials for Electrodes in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells─An Overview

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are anticipated to become economical, efficient, and commercially viable due to their simple fabrication, environmental friendliness, low-light performance, and flexibility for product integration. However, inherent voltage loss during the sensitizing dye regeneration process, uneven titanium layer deposition, electrolyte filling, and electrical interconnections contribute to the lower efficiency of DSSCs compared to conventional silicon solar cells. Researchers have focused on optimizing material and structural properties to address these issues, achieving record-setting efficiencies of up to 14%. Recently, incorporating 2D materials, such as graphene and transition metal carbides or nitrides (MXenes), has been studied to improve DSSC performance and stability. 2D materials can enhance the photoanode's diffuse reflectance, increasing light utilization efficiency. This review provides an overview of recent progress in DSSC research toward developing new materials (2D) for electrodes, focusing on applying 2D composite materials. We discuss how each of these materials has been utilized as hole-transporting layers or as dopants in electrodes to improve the photovoltaic performance and long-term stability of DSSCs. Furthermore, we outline the features that must be optimized for the highest efficiency in DSSCs and provide a perspective on future directions in DSSC research.

Research on dye sensitized solar cells: recent advancement toward the various constituents of dye sensitized solar cells for efficiency enhancement and future prospects

It is universally accepted that the financial advancement of a state is essentially dependent upon the energy sector as it is essential in the growth, development, and improvement of the farming, mechanical, and defense sectors. A dependable source of energy is expected to enhance society's expectation of everyday comforts. Modern industrial advancement, which is indispensable for any nation, relies upon electricity. The principal explanation behind the energy emergency is rapidly increasing the use of hydrocarbon resources. Thus, the use of renewable resources is essential to overcome this dilemma. The consumption of hydrocarbon fuels and their discharge has destructive consequences on our surroundings. Third-generation photovoltaic (solar) cells are latest encouraging option in solar cells. Currently, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) utilize organic (natural and synthetic) dye and inorganic (ruthenium) as a sensitizer. The nature of this dye combined with different variables has brought about a change in its use. Natural dyes are a feasible alternative in comparison to expensive and rare ruthenium dye owing to their low cast, easy utility, abundant supply of resources, and no environmental threat. In this review, the dyes generally utilized in DSSC are discussed. The DSSC criteria and components are explained, and the progress in inorganic and natural dyes is monitored. Scientists involved in this emerging technology will benefit from this examination.

The Role of Temperature on the Degree of End-Closing and Filling of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), owing to their high surface area-to-volume ratio and hollow core, can be employed as hosts for adsorbed and/or encapsulated molecules. At high temperatures, the ends of CNTs close spontaneously, which is relevant for several applications, including catalysis, gas storage, and biomedical imaging and therapy. This study highlights the influence of the annealing temperature in the range between 400 and 1100 °C on the structure and morphology of single-walled CNTs. The nitrogen adsorption and density functional theory calculations indicate that the fraction of end-closed CNTs increases with temperature. Raman spectroscopy reveals that the thermal treatment does not alter the tubular structure. Insight is also provided into the efficacy of CNTs filling from the molten phase, depending on the annealing temperature. The CNTs are filled with europium (III) chloride and analyzed by using electron microscopy (scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, confirming the presence of filling and closed ends. The filling yield increases with temperature, as determined by thermogravimetric analysis. The obtained results show that the apparent surface area of CNTs, fraction of closed ends, and amount of encapsulated payload can be tailored via annealing.